About Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally forming mineral called Hydrous Magnesium Silicates, whose fibres have various negative effects on people who inadvertently inhale them. Mainly mined and imported from Canada and South Africa, it used to be a popular building material with contractors in the United Kingdom, on account of its more durable properties. Prior to new legislation introduced in the year 2000, approximately 5 million tonnes were imported into the UK and used extensively in more than 500,000 buildings. In many cases and products, asbestos remains in a good condition for decades. By learning more about asbestos, you will know what to be wary on in your working environment.

Types of Asbestos

Although the various asbestos types are commonly referred to by colour, this does not prove an ideal way to identify the material and microscopic investigation is recommended by the accredited surveyors and laboratories. There are 3 main commonly known types of asbestos:

Chrysotile – commonly known as white asbestos. Used primarily in cement products and other various materials and papers.

Amosite – commonly known as brown asbestos. Typically used in pipe insulation and lagging applications or mixed with other materials to form asbestos insulation board (AIB).

Crocidolite – commonly known as blue asbestos. Typically used within sprayed coatings and insulation and referred to as the most dangerous of the three.

Working with Asbestos

It’s important to observe some basic safety do’s and don’ts when working in environments where you might be exposed to asbestos.

Don’t:

Don’t:

Use Methods or Equipment That Create a Lot of Dust, such as Power Tools

Sweep up Dust and Debris – Use a Type H Vacuum Cleaner or Wet Rags

Take Home Overalls Used for Asbestos Work

Re-Use Disposable Clothing or Masks

Smoke, Eat, or Drink in the Work Area

Do:

Do:

Stop and Ask If You Are Suspicious That Something May Be Asbestos, or If You Think the Work Might Require a Licenced Contractor

Follow the Plan of Work and Task Guidance Sheets – Make Sure You Use the Right Sheet for the Job

Why Is It Dangerous?

In Great Britain, asbestos fibres are present in the environment, but people are usually exposed to very low levels of fibres. However, a key factor in the risk of developing an asbestos-related disease is the total number of fibres breathed in.

While working on or near damaged asbestos-containing materials, you’ll be exposed to many hundreds of times more fibres than in a standard environment. This increases your risk of inhaling high levels of fibres and contracting an asbestos-related disease. These diseases kill more than 4,000 people every year in the UK alone.

There are four main diseases caused by asbestos:

Why Is It Dangerous?

Mesothelioma (Which Is Always Fatal)

Lung Cancer (Almost Always Fatal)

Asbestosis (Not Always Fatal, but Very Debilitating)

Diffuse Pleural Thickening (Not Fatal)

Remember, these diseases will not affect you immediately but later on in life, so you need to protect yourself now, in order to avoid contracting an asbestos-related disease in the future. It is also important to remember that people who smoke and are also exposed to asbestos fibres are at a much greater risk of developing lung cancer.

When Am I at Risk?

You are mostly at risk when:

When Am I at Risk?

Working on an Unfamiliar Site, or a Building Constructed prior to 2000

Asbestos-Containing Materials Are Not Identified to Workers prior to Commencement of Work

You or Your Co-Workers Fail to Learn or Adhere to the Proper Safety Procedures and Precautions

As long as the asbestos is not damaged or located somewhere where it can be easily damaged it won’t be a risk to you. Remember:

When Am I at Risk? 2

You Can’t See or Smell Asbestos Fibres in the Air

The Effects of Asbestos Take Many Years to Appear – Avoid Inhaling It Now

Smoking Increases the Risk Many Times

Asbestos Is Only a Danger When Fibres Are Made Airborne

Where Can You Find It?

Due to its popularity in the UK construction industry, asbestos cement can be found in many different places, including articles such as water tanks, fire surrounds, and pipes. Other common places include:

Asbestos Cement Roofs – These are mainly made up of large sheets of corrugated asbestos cement; they are often found on industrial or farmyard buildings, but also can be found as roofs on garages and sheds. They are usually covered in mosses as they’ve been there for many years.

Asbestos Wall Cladding – Shape and structure similar to roof sheeting, this is often found on walls or as walls of buildings with asbestos cement roofs.

Asbestos Downpipes and Gutters – Sometimes attached at the end of cement roofs in warehouse type buildings.

Asbestos Cement Flues – Including domestic properties, this may be found in boiler systems and air conditioning and ventilation systems.

What Does It Look Like?

Asbestos cement is just ordinary cement mixed with asbestos. In some cases, asbestos can make up over a third of the cement. It is a hard, grey material which was moulded and compressed to produce some of the materials listed above.

Contact us today to enquire about safely disposing of asbestos in your workplace.